Apparatus and method for integrating an unlicensed wireless communications system and a licensed wireless communications system

ABSTRACT

A server for integrating an unlicensed wireless communication system and a licensed wireless communication system includes a network interface card, a licensed wireless network interface card, and a processor connected to the network interface card and the licensed wireless network interface card. A memory is connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions to identify when a subscriber device is entering a service region of a selected unlicensed wireless communication base station. Additional instructions coordinate the routing of a current communication session on a licensed wireless communication system to the selected unlicensed wireless communication base station.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/912,884, filed Jul. 24, 2001, now abandoned. This application claimspriority to the following provisional patent application Nos.60/271,766; 60/271,767; 60/271,768; and 60/271,769, each of which wasfiled on Feb. 26, 2001.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to telecommunications. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a technique for seamlesslyintegrating voice and data telecommunication services across a licensedwireless system and an unlicensed wireless system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Licensed wireless systems provide mobile wireless communications toindividuals using wireless transceivers. Licensed wireless systems referto public cellular telephone systems and/or Personal CommunicationServices (PCS) telephone systems. Wireless transceivers include cellulartelephones, PCS telephones, wireless-enabled personal digitalassistants, wireless modems, and the like.

Licensed wireless systems utilize wireless signal frequencies that arelicensed from governments. Large fees are paid for access to thesefrequencies. Expensive base station equipment is used to supportcommunications on licensed frequencies. Base stations are typicallyinstalled approximately a mile apart from one another. As a result, thequality of service (voice quality and speed of data transfer) inwireless systems is considerably inferior to the quality of serviceafforded by landline (wired) connections. Thus, the user of a licensedwireless system pays relatively high fees for relatively low qualityservice.

Landline (wired) connections are extensively deployed and generallyperform at a lower cost with higher quality voice and higher speed dataservices. The problem with landline connections is that they constrainthe mobility of a user. Traditionally, a physical connection to thelandline was required. Currently, unlicensed wireless communicationsystems are deployed to increase the mobility of an individual using alandline. The mobility range associated with such systems is typicallyon the order of 100 meters. A common unlicensed wireless communicationsystem includes a base station with a physical connection to a landline.The base station has a RF transceiver to facilitate communication with awireless handset that is operative within a modest distance of the basestation. Thus, this option provides higher quality services at a lowercost, but the services only extend a modest distance from the basestation.

Thus, there are significant shortcomings associated with currentlandline systems and licensed wireless systems. For this reason,individuals commonly have one telephone number for landlinecommunications and one telephone number for licensed wirelesscommunications. This leads to additional expense and inconvenience foran individual. It would be highly desirable if an individual couldutilize a single telephone number for both landline communications andlicensed wireless communications. Ideally, such a system would allow anindividual, through seamless handoffs between the two systems, toexploit the benefits of each system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A server for integrating an unlicensed wireless communication system anda licensed wireless communication system includes a network interfacecard, a licensed wireless network interface card, and a processorconnected to the network interface card and the licensed wirelessnetwork interface card. A memory is connected to the processor. Thememory stores instructions to identify when a subscriber device isentering a service region of a selected unlicensed wirelesscommunication base station. Additional instructions coordinate therouting of a current communication session on a licensed wirelesscommunication system to the selected unlicensed wireless communicationbase station.

Advantageously, services that would typically be provided via a licensedwireless system can be delivered to the unlicensed base station usinginexpensive and high quality landline networks. The unlicensed basestation subsequently provides service to a handset using unlicensed,free spectrum (e.g., spectrum around 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Thus, when asubscriber is within range of the unlicensed base station, thesubscriber enjoys low cost, high speed, and high quality voice and dataservices. In addition, the subscriber enjoys extended service rangesince the handset can receive services deep within a building. This typeof service range is not reliably provided by a licensed wireless system.

The invention also allows the subscriber to roam outside the range ofthe unlicensed base station without dropping communications. Instead,roaming outside the range of the unlicensed base station results in aseamless handoff (also referred to as a hand over) wherein communicationservices are automatically provided by the licensed wireless system.

While the invention provides advantages to the subscriber, the inventionalso provides advantages to the wireless system service provider. First,the unlicensed base stations are relatively low cost and therefore thewireless system service provider is in a position to extend serviceswithout incurring significant infrastructure expense. Further, theintegration of the landline and wireless systems allows a singlecommunication service provider to secure fee-paying accounts for bothlandline and wireless services. Finally, since the invention relies uponinstalled wireless system infrastructure for services such asauthentication, expensive system upgrades are not required.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is more fully appreciated in connection with the followingdetailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus for integrating a licensed wirelesssystem and an unlicensed wireless system in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a subscriber device configured in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a base station configured in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D illustrate various base station configurationsutilized in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system server for integrating unlicensed andlicensed wireless communication systems in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a base station service region and associatedtransition points between licensed and unlicensed wireless communicationservices.

FIG. 7 illustrates a transition between an unlicensed wireless serviceand a licensed wireless service in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates transitions between unlicensed wireless base stationsin accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates the forwarding of a licensed wireless call to a basestation in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a prior art licensed wireless authenticationprocedure.

FIG. 11 illustrates an unlicensed wireless authentication procedureutilized in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates system components utilized in a provisioningoperation associated with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates provisioning operations performed in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 that may be operated in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 includes asubscriber device 12, which is a wireless transceiver, such as acellular telephone, a PCS telephone, a wireless data modem, a wirelessenabled Personal Digital Assistant, a wireless enabled computer, and thelike. This subscriber device 12 is in wireless electronic communicationwith a licensed wireless communication service that provides voiceand/or data services. By way of example, the invention is disclosed inconnection with a licensed wireless communication service in the form ofa cellular network 14. When the subscriber device 12 is within anunlicensed wireless service coverage area 16, the licensed wirelessservice is substituted, without interruption, with an unlicensedwireless service that is facilitated through a base station 18.

The base station 18 wirelessly transmits telephone signals from astandard Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 20 and, if necessary,a standard Private Base eXchange (PBX) 22, to a subscriber device 12.Specifically, when a device 12 is within an unlicensed wireless servicecoverage area 16, the originating base station 18 provides the device 12with wireless telephone service originating from a PSTN 20 rather than acellular network 14. Since the PSTN 20 is used, the subscriber device 12receives high quality voice or data services at a relatively low cost.If the user of the subscriber device 12 roams outside of the unlicensedwireless service coverage area 16, the same communication session can bemaintained without interruption by transitioning to the licensedwireless service provided by the cellular network 14. Techniques forimplementing seamless transitions of this type are discussed in detailbelow.

A system server 24 facilitates seamless transitions between the licensedwireless service and the unlicensed wireless service. The system server24 is in electronic communication with the standard cellular network 14.In one embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1, the system server24 is also in electronic communication with the base station 18 througha Local Area Network (LAN) 28 and a larger network 30, such as theInternet. The system server 24 and the base station 18 may be linkedthrough any number of communication services, including DigitalSubscriber Line (DSL), cable, satellite, and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the cellular network 14 includes standardcomponents, such as a cellular core network 15, a Mobile SwitchingCenter (MSC) 26, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 32, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 34, an Authentication Center (AC) 38, and a Base StationController (BSC) 38. As discussed below, these standard components areutilized in a novel manner in order to provide extended functionalityfor a subscriber device 12.

FIG. 2 illustrates a subscriber device 12. As previously indicated, thesubscriber device 12 may be a wireless telephone or a wireless modern.In the case of a wireless telephone, the subscriber device 12 includes adisplay 100, keypad 102, and a control circuit 104. The display 100 maybe used to provide a visual indication to a user when the subscriberdevice 12 is within the service range of the base station 18. The keypad102 is used in a conventional manner. The control circuit 104 may be inthe form of a processor, a hardwired circuit, a programmable logicdevice, an application specific integrated circuit, and the like.

The control circuit 104 is also connected to a memory module 106 and,via audio switch 108, to an audio input/output circuit 109. Wirelesssignals in the unlicensed spectrum are received by an antenna 110 andare filtered by a filter 112 to improve signal clarity and/or strength.The wireless signals are then processed by unlicensed wireless circuitry114, which is also referred to as unlicensed wireless communicationsignal processing circuitry. The unlicensed wireless circuitry operatesas a standard transceiver for processing unlicensed wireless signals.The circuitry 114 may support any number of unlicensed wirelessstandards. For example, currently in the U.S., unlicensed wirelesssignals may be sent at frequencies around 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, or 5 GHz.Unlicensed wireless communication may be implemented in accordance withthe invention utilizing any number of unlicensed spectrum communicationsprotocols, including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, andHyper-LAN. Advantageously, many licensed wireless subscriber devices arecurrently being configured to include unlicensed wireless circuitry forsuch applications as remote microphones and speakers. In accordance withthe invention, this circuitry is used for a new application, namely,communicating with a base station, as discussed below.

Selected signals, such as location update data or signal strength data,are sent to the control circuit 104. Audio data is converted to an audiosignal by audio circuitry 116 and is sent to an audio switch 108 forbroadcast by an audio input/output circuit 109. Audio signalstransmitted to the audio input/output circuit 109 are transmitted byaudio switch 108 to the control circuit 104, which is capable of sendingaudio and other data to unlicensed wireless circuitry 114. Unlicensedspectrum signals are then sent through the filter 112 and on to theantenna 110, where they are broadcast to the base station 18.

In similar manner, wireless signals from a licensed cellular network 14are transmitted to the antenna 111, filtered by the filter 113, and arethen processed by the licensed wireless circuitry 118, also referred toas licensed wireless communication signal processing circuitry. Thesesignals are subsequently converted to an audio signal by audio circuitry120 or are processed by control circuit 104. As above, signalsoriginating from the device 12 can also be sent out, but here thedestination is a licensed wireless communication network (e.g., cellularnetwork 14) rather than a base station 18. In the event of a data modem,the audio input/output circuit 109 is omitted and a data source isapplied directly to the control circuit 104. Audio signals transmittedfrom the audio input 109 are transmitted by audio switch 108 to thecontrol circuit 104, which is capable of sending audio and other data tolicensed wireless circuitry 118. Wireless signals are then sent throughthe filter 113 to the antenna 111, where they are broadcast to thelicensed wireless network 14.

The individual subscriber device components discussed up to this pointare standard. The combination of these devices is believed to be novel,as is the operation of these devices in accordance with a set ofexecutable programs stored in memory 106. The executable programs withinmemory 106 are shown by way of example. The same functionality may berealized through hardwired circuits, application specific integratedcircuits, programmable logic devices, and the like. Indeed, the variouscomponents of the subscriber device 12 may be combined or integrated inany number of ways. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is for the purpose ofillustration.

The executable programs reside on top of standard licensed wirelesssystem call processing software. In addition, the programs reside on topof standard unlicensed wireless link protocol software (e.g., standardBluetooth or 802.11b software). The programs bridge these systems byexchanging messages between the separate software stacks.Advantageously, this approach allows a large portion of the existingsoftware protocols in the subscriber device 12 to be reused without anychanges.

The memory module 106 contains a location tracking module 122 thatrecords the current location of the device 12 (i.e., whether the deviceis within an unlicensed coverage area 16). In addition, the module 106contains an authentication and authorization module 124 to coordinate anauthentication procedure for validating that the device 12 is licensedfor use within the unlicensed coverage area 16. As discussed below, theinvention utilizes the authentication infrastructure associated with thelicensed wireless system to authenticate and authorize a subscriberdevice for unlicensed wireless system services. The memory 106 alsoincludes a handoff module 126 to coordinate seamless service exchangesbetween a base station 18 supporting unlicensed wireless communicationsand a licensed wireless communications network, such as a cellularnetwork 14. The operations associated with each of the modules stored inmemory 106 are discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a base station 18 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. When the subscriber device 12 iswithin the coverage area 16 of the base station 18, the base station 18can be used to provide the subscriber device 12 with landline qualitydata and voice service via an unlicensed wireless communication link. Inparticular, the base station 18 interconnects to the existing telephonenetwork to provide a final link to a subscriber device 12 through ashort-range two-way radio link.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base station 18 is controlled bya control circuit 200, which is in communication with the LAN 28 andtherefore the system server 24 via router jack 202 and/or Ethernet jack204. The control circuit 200 may be a processor, a hardwired circuit, aprogrammable logic device, an application specific integrated circuitand the like. Signals from the system server 24 travel through one ofthese jacks into network interface circuitry 206 and on to the controlcircuit 200. This allows the base station 18 to communicate with thesystem server 24. As discussed below, the server 24 determines whetherand when to route phone service over the unlicensed wireless system(e.g., via the PSTN 20 and base station 18) or the licensed wirelesssystem (e.g., via cellular network 14).

The control circuit 200 is also in communication with a landline (PSTN20 and, in the typical business context, PBX 22) via a phone line jack208 and/or phone extension jack 210. These jacks transmit informationbetween the PSTN 20 and control circuit 200 through Plain Old TelephoneService (POTS) interface circuitry 212. Audio data is translated byaudio circuitry 214, while other data can be directly exchanged with thecontrol circuit 200.

The base station 18 communicates wirelessly with devices 12 using aradio frequency circuit 216. This circuit 216 includes standardcircuitry to receive and transmit electronic voice and/or data in anunlicensed wireless signal format. For example, currently in the U.S.,unlicensed wireless signals may be sent in the frequency range between2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Unlicensed wireless communication may be implementedin accordance with the invention utilizing any number of unlicensedspectrum communications protocols, including Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11b, and Hyper-LAN.

A typical circuit 216 consists of transmission circuitry 218 fortransmitting signals to a device 12, receiving circuitry 220 forreceiving signals from the device 12, and base band circuitry 222. Thebaseband circuitry 222 contains standard circuitry for down convertingunlicensed wireless signals to base band signals, which allows for theextraction of relevant information by the control circuit 200. The baseband circuitry 222 also contains standard circuitry for up convertingbase band data from the control circuit 200 to unlicensed wirelesssignals for broadcast by transmission circuitry 218.

The control circuit 200 is also connected to a memory module 224. Thememory module 224 contains a provisioning module 226 that is used tofacilitate the initial configuration and servicing of the base station18 and subscriber device 12. The module 224 also includes a subscriberinterface module 228. The subscriber interface module 228 instructs thecontrol circuit 200 to periodically broadcast a signal (e.g., anunlicensed wireless communication base station identification signal).If a subscriber device 12 responds to the signal, then the base station18 knows that the subscriber device 12 is within the unlicensed coveragearea 16. The module 224 also contains an authentication module 230 tocoordinate the authentication of a subscriber device 12 that has enteredthe unlicensed coverage area 16. In one embodiment of the invention, thememory 224 includes an enhanced service module 232. The enhanced servicemodule may be used to provide improved services to a subscriber device.For example, if the user of a subscriber device is playing a low latencyon-line game, different screen displays can be cached in the basestation 18 and then be quickly downloaded to the subscriber device 12.Each of the modules stored in memory 224 can also be implemented ashardwired circuits, application specific integrated circuits,programmable logic devices, and the like.

The enhanced service module 232 may also be used to implement otheradvanced features. For example, the enhanced service module 232 can beconfigured to append a set of prefix digits before dialed digits toinstruct the server 24 to route long distance calls on a specificservice provider network.

The enhanced service module 232 can also be used to simultaneouslysupport multiple subscribers. For example, the base station 18 maysupport multiple subscriber devices through a single or multiplelandline connections.

Preferably, the subscriber interface module 228 of the base station 18is configured to advise a subscriber device when the landline associatedwith the base station 18 is occupied. In such a case, the handoff module126 of the subscriber device will no longer attempt to make contact withthe base station 18, but will continue to utilize the licensed wirelesssystem for call servicing.

In order to provide landline-quality service to subscriber devices 12, abase station 18 is installed directly in the path of a typical phonesystem. FIG. 4A illustrates a typical office or workplace, where atelephone 300 is connected to a PBX 22. The PBX 22 is installed betweenthe telephone 300 and PSTN 20 to provide a private telephone network inwhich a number of telephones 300 share a certain number of outside linesfrom the PSTN 20. FIG. 4A illustrates that a Personal Computer (PC) 302can be connected to the LAN 28 for communication with the Internet 30.

FIG. 4B illustrates the workplace environment of FIG. 4A modified toincorporate the base station 18 of the invention. The base station 18 isplaced in electronic communication with both the telephone 300 (e.g.,via phone line jack 208) and the LAN 28 (e.g., via Ethernet jack 204).This configuration allows base station 18 to receive landline voice anddata from a PSTN 20 and broadcast it to subscriber devices 12 when theyare within the coverage area 16. The base station 18 is also connectedto a LAN 28, which allows it to communicate with the system server 24 inorder to coordinate handoffs between the licensed wireless andunlicensed wireless systems. Advantageously, the base station 18operates transparently with respect to the PBX 22, the LAN 28, thetelephone 300, and the PC 302. In the event that the PBX 22 is InternetProtocol based, the base station 18 can be connected solely to the LAN28.

FIG. 4C illustrates a typical home setting, which is usually similar tothe workplace setting of FIG. 4A minus the LAN 28 and PBX 22. Thetelephone 300 is ordinarily connected directly with Plain Old TelephoneService (POTS) 304, which is simply another term for PSTN 20. Connectionto the Internet 30 is provided by a modem 306 in communication with a PC302. FIG. 4D illustrates the placement of base station 18 within thistypical home setting. Here, the base station 18 is placed in electroniccommunication with both a telephone 300 and modem 306, allowing it tocommunicate directly with the POTS 304/PSTN 20 and, through modem 306,with the Internet 30 and system server 24. Once again, the base station18 operates transparently with respect to the modem 306, the POTS 304,the telephone 300, and the PC 302.

In both the workplace and home settings, the base station 18 can be insimultaneous communication with both a telephone landline and a systemserver 24. When a subscriber device 12 roams inside the coverage area16, the base station 18 can thus provide landline-quality service todevice 12. The invention should thus be construed to include anapparatus and method for the seamless switching of telephone servicebetween a cellular network 14 and a landline-based base station 18 thatcan be used in either a residential or commercial setting.

As mentioned above, for purposes of this invention a landline can beinterchangeably referred to as a POTS 304 or PSTN 20. However, theinvention should not be construed as limited to simply the POTS or PSTNcontext. Rather, the invention discloses a base station 18 that canprovide landline-quality service to a subscriber device 12 bycommunicating with any landline network. Examples of such networksinclude, but are not limited to, DSL, cable or cable modern networks.

FIG. 5 illustrates a system server 24, which manages the mobility ofsubscriber devices 12 between a landline-based unlicensed wirelessservice from a base station 18 and a licensed wireless service, such asfrom a cellular network 14. A typical system server 24 is controlled bya central processing unit (CPU) 400, which is connected to a bus 401.Network interface cards 402 (e.g., Ethernet cards) for communicatingwith the Internet 30 are also connected to the bus 401. Licensed networkinterface cards 404 (e.g., SS7 cards) for communicating with cellularnetworks 14 are also connected to the bus 401. This allows the systemserver 24 to use Internet Protocol (IP) and/or SS7 protocol and/or MAP &IS-41 protocols to connect to the Internet and cellular core networks.

The system server 24 also contains a memory module 406 that stores anumber of programs, databases and other assorted modules. Morespecifically, the module 406 contains signaling control programs 408.The signaling control programs 408 are standard programs forestablishing communications with the licensed wireless network.Therefore, for example, the signaling control programs 408 may include aTransaction Capability Application Part (TCAP) module, a MessageTransfer Part (MTP) module, and an Interim Standard (IS41) module tosupport Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and Code Division MultipleAccess (CDMA). Memory 46 may also store datapath control programs 410.By way of example, the datapath control programs may include standardprograms to facilitate computer network data transfers. By way ofexample, the datapath control programs may include an Internet Protocol(IP) module and a Gateway Tunnel Protocol (GTP) module.

The memory 406 also stores various system server application programs412. These application programs include system bridge programs 414 forhandling transitions in service from licensed to unlicensed wirelessservices and vice versa. The memory 406 also stores a location database416 for storing the current location of devices 12 and indicatingwhether they are within the coverage area 16. Also included is a billingmodule 418 for recording usage statistics for billing purposes. Thebilling module 418 distinguishes between charges for licensed wirelessservices and unlicensed wireless services. A provisioning module 420 isincluded to facilitate the installation of new base stations. Anauthentication module 422 is used to facilitate the authentication of asubscriber device within an unlicensed wireless service area. Asdiscussed below, the authentication module 422 includes data andexecutable instructions to emulate certain components of a licensedwireless network. For example, the authentication module emulates amobile switching center during the authentication process.

The major components of the invention—the subscriber device 12, the basestation 18, and the system server 24—have now been described. Theoperations of these devices are more fully appreciated with thefollowing discussion.

The invention's facilitation of seamless transitions between licensedand unlicensed wireless services is more fully appreciated in connectionwith FIG. 6. Base station 18 broadcasts within a set of boundaries B1,B2, B3 and B4. A subscriber device 12 located outside these boundariesis serviced by a licensed wireless system, such as a standard cellularnetwork 14. However, once the device 12 crosses boundary B3, the handofffrom the licensed wireless service to the unlicensed wireless servicebegins. That is, at the B3 boundary the base station 18 is able torecognize the presence of the subscriber device 12. As previouslyindicated, the base station 18 includes a subscriber interface module228 that coordinates the transmission of a service range signal that isidentified by a subscriber device 12. That is, the location trackingmodule 122 of the subscriber device 12 is used to coordinate theidentification of a base station signal. In the presence of such asignal, the location tracking module 122 coordinates the transmittal ofan acknowledgment signal to the base station 18.

Preferably, the subscriber interface module 228 of the base station 18identifies the boundary points of the service area 16 by using thereceived signal strength and the transmit-power level setting from thesubscriber device 12. In particular, an automated process is preferablyused to learn the boundary distances through heuristically measuring thesuccess rate and adjusting the boundary distance for optimal handoffsuccess rates.

In one embodiment, the location tracking module 122 of the subscriberdevice 12 is implemented to periodically wake the unlicensed wirelesscircuitry 114 to sniff and thereby determine whether it is within therange of a base station. If so, the subscriber device registers with thebase station 18, if not, the unlicensed wireless circuitry 114 isactivated at a later time.

Under the control of the subscriber interface module 228, the basestation 18 identifies the acknowledgement signal and transmits asubscriber device present signal to the router jack 202, the Ethernetjack 204, the phone line jack 208, or the phone extension jack 210. Thesubscriber device present signal is subsequently directed through anetwork (e.g., the LAN 28 and Internet 30) to the system server 24,which notes that the subscriber device 12 is now within the service areaof the base station 18. In particular, the system server 24 logs thisinformation in the location database 416.

Once the system server 24 logs the fact that the subscriber device 12 iswithin the service range of the base station 18, it contacts thecellular network 14 to initiate a call to the landline associated withthe base station 18. It is known in the art to utilize a cellularnetwork 14 to establish a call to a landline number. For example, FIG. 1illustrates a link between the Mobile Switch Center (MSC) 26 and thePSTN 22. In the prior art, this feature is used to direct a callintended for a mobile device to a landline telephone when the user ofthe mobile device has advised the cellular system that the landlinetelephone can be used to receive calls. Observe in this situation thatthe transition from the cellular network to the landline telephone isestablished prior to the call being placed. This prior art scenariostands in sharp contrast to the present invention where during thecourse of an already established communication session control istransferred from a licensed wireless service to an unlicensed wirelessservice or vice versa. This aspect of the invention is more fullyappreciated in connection with the following discussion.

As previously indicated, when the subscriber device 12 crosses theboundary B3, a landline call to or from the base station 18 isinitiated. Once the landline call is received at the base station 18,the base station 18 begins transmitting to the subscriber device 12using the unlicensed wireless spectrum. These transmissions areprocessed by the unlicensed wireless circuitry 114 of the subscriberdevice 12 (See FIG. 2). At this point, the licensed wireless circuitry118 is also active and the audio switch 108 is responsive to thelicensed wireless circuitry 118. Thus, the subscriber device 12 isprocessing both licensed wireless signals and unlicensed wirelesssignals at this point. The handoff module 126 can coordinate thisoperation.

The subscriber interface module 228 of the base station 18 continues tomonitor the signal strength from the subscriber device 12. When thesignal strength reaches a threshold corresponding to the crossing ofboundary B4, the subscriber interface module 228 initiates a handoffcommand, which is applied to the RF circuit 216. The handoff command isreceived at the subscriber device 12 and is processed by the handoffmodule 126, which generates a handoff signal that is applied to theaudio switch 108. The handoff signal causes the audio switch 108 toprocess information from the audio circuitry 116 associated with theunlicensed wireless circuitry 114.

At this point, the licensed wireless circuitry 118 can be turned off.The ability to turn this circuitry off is a significant advantagebecause it preserves battery life. Typically, the licensed wirelesscircuitry remains active in order to provide location information to thelicensed wireless system infrastructure. However, as discussed below,this location information is available in accordance with the invention.Therefore, the licensed wireless circuitry can be shut down to obtain asignificant extension in battery life. Alternately, the licensedwireless circuitry 118 can remain in a low power state to receivesignaling or messages from the licensed wireless system, while voice iscarried over the unlicensed system.

The spacing between boundaries B3 and B4 allows time for theestablishment of simultaneous connections between the subscriber device12 and both the licensed network and unlicensed network. This allows forthe immediate switching of service to the unlicensed network once thesubscriber device 12 crosses boundary B4, thus creating a seamlesstransition to base station service that is transparent to the user.

Once the device 12 is within boundary B4, service is originated withinthe PSTN 20 and broadcast wirelessly to the device 12 by the basestation 18. If the device 12 travels away from this base station 18,service is handed off from the base station 18 to a licensed wirelessnetwork 14 in a manner similar to the process described above.Specifically, once the device 12 crosses boundary B2, a simultaneouslink is established with a licensed wireless network (e.g., cellularnetwork 14). When the device 12 further crosses boundary B1, a seamlesshandoff is made from the unlicensed wireless service originating overthe PSTN 20 to the licensed wireless network (e.g., cellular network14). At this point, the subscriber device 12 receives wireless servicesfrom the cellular network 14 in a standard manner.

FIG. 7 provides a more detailed characterization of this handoff processfrom an unlicensed wireless service to a licensed wireless service. Whenthe subscriber device 12 is within the service area 16 of the basestation 18, the subscriber device 12 transmits to the base station 18information on the signal strengths of the frequencies of the nearbylicensed wireless base stations. The base station 18 forwards thisinformation to the system server 24, which in turn sends the informationto the Visitor Location Register (VLR) 32. This operation is shown witharrow 450 in FIG. 7.

In response to this message, the licensed wireless system provides theparameters that are needed when the subscriber device 12 needs a handofffrom the unlicensed wireless system to the licensed wireless system.This information includes the identity of the base station to which thehandoff should be made. By way of example, in a GSM cellular system,these parameters are CI (Cell Identity) and LAC (Location Area Code).This handoff information may be obtained and stored in the base station18 before a call is made or when a call is made. In any event, thehandoff information can be secured well before the subscriber device 12roams outside the coverage area of the base station 18. The availabilityof this information allows the subscriber device 12 to quicklytransition to the licensed wireless system. In addition, thisinformation allows the licensed wireless circuitry 118 to be shut downfor the purpose of extending battery life.

The licensed wireless system connection information may be delivered tothe base station 18 via a landline connection as shown with line 452.Alternately, the information may be delivered through a communicationsession between the system server 24 and the mobile switch center 26 andthen the system server 24 and the base station 18, as shown with arrows454 and 456.

As shown with arrow 458 in FIG. 7, the base station 18 continuouslymakes power measurements of signals that are received from thesubscriber device 12. When the power measurements begin to grow weak,the base station may notify the system server 24 to initiate a handoffto the licensed wireless system. In turn, the system server 24 mayadvise the Mobile Switch Center (MSC) 26 of the hand over candidate, asshown with arrows 460 and 462.

When the power measurements at the base station 18 become sufficientlyweak, indicating that the subscriber device 12 is moving away from thebase station 18 (e.g., crossing boundary B2) a formal hand over requestis initiated. In particular, the base station 18 transmits to the systemserver 24 the base station identity (e.g., CI, LAC, etc.) to which thehandoff should be transferred, as shown with arrow 458. The systemserver 24 contacts the MSC 26 to initiate a handoff, as shown with arrow460. The MSC 26 contacts the Base Station Controller (BSC) 38, as shownwith arrow 462. In response, the BSC 38 generates a channel number, aslot number and a handoff reference. As shown with arrow 464, thisinformation is passed to the Base Station Transceiver System (BTS) 500.The information is also passed back to the subscriber device 12 throughthe MSC 26, the system server 24, and the base station 18, as shown witharrows 466, 468, 470, and 472.

In response to this information, the BTS 500 turns on a transmitter andreceiver at the specified channel number and slot number. Similarly, thesubscriber device 12 turns on its transceiver circuitry 118. The BTS 500seeks a response from the subscriber device with a matching referencenumber, as shown with arrow 474. Once the subscriber device 12 receivesthe BTS transmission, it sends a message to the BTS with the handoffreference, as shown with arrow 476. At this point, a new licensedwireless link is established on the given channel and slot number, asshown with arrow 478. Once the licensed wireless link is established,the unlicensed wireless link is turned off, as shown with line 480 inFIG. 7. Thereafter, the BTS 500, the BSC 38, and the MSC 26 operate in astandard manner to supply licensed wireless services to the subscriberdevice 12. The foregoing operations may be implemented using the handoffmodule 126 of the subscriber device 12, the subscriber interface module228 of the base station 18, and the system bridge programs 414 of thesystem server 24.

As previously indicated, a handoff from a licensed wireless service toan unlicensed wireless service occurs in a similar but reverse fashion.When the subscriber devices 12 cross boundary B3 from a remote locationthe base station 18 initiates a handoff operation by sending a requestto the system server 24, which conveys the request to the MSC 26. TheMSC 26 then hands off the call to the landline number assigned to thebase station 18.

Between boundaries B3 and B4, both the licensed wireless (e.g.,cellular) link and unlicensed wireless (e.g., landline originated) linkare simultaneously active. After a period in which both links aresimultaneously active, control of the communication session is switchedfrom the licensed wireless circuitry 118 to the unlicensed wirelesscircuitry 114. The handoff module 126 may coordinate this handoff inresponse to a handoff command initiated at the subscriber interfacemodule 228 of the base station 18. As above, the maintenance ofsimultaneous licensed and unlicensed wireless links for a period of timeensures a successful seamless handoff. This reduces the number ofdropped calls, and allows for successful handoffs even when thesignaling messages among different elements of the cellular andlandline-based systems experience delays or latency.

The foregoing discussion was directed toward handoffs between licensedwireless services and unlicensed wireless services. The invention alsoincludes a technique for seamless handoffs between unlicensed wirelessservice base stations. Such a technique would be valuable, for example,in the case where an office building has a large number of base stations18 to supply unlicensed wireless services to a user that would otherwisereceive poor quality licensed wireless service within the officebuilding.

Thus, the invention includes a system wherein a plurality of basestations 18 exist with overlapping coverage areas 16. This allows asubscriber device 12 to roam freely among the coverage areas 16.

FIG. 8 illustrates such a system. The subscriber device 12 is registeredwith base stations 18-1 and 18-2. Base stations 18-1 and 18-2communicate with each other using LAN 28. The base stations 18-1 and18-2 are shown installed in a typical workplace setting, with telephones300 and PCs 302 connected to a LAN 28 and PBX 22 in a standard fashion.Note that the coverage areas 604 and 606 of the base stations 18-2 and18-2 overlap. As a device 12 moves from one area 604 to another area606, voice and data signals from the first base station 18-1 areseamlessly handed off to the second base station 18-2.

Periodically, the base stations 18-1 and 18-2 broadcast a message overthe LAN 28 to all other base stations connected to the LAN 28. Thismessage includes a time stamp, a LA signal indicating the particularbase station, the subscriber number, and a range number indicating thedistance between that base station and the device 12. A separate messageis broadcast for each base station on the LAN 28. A range number can becalculated by relying upon the ability of the base station 18 to measurethe signal strengths emitted from the subscriber device or vice versa.

In accordance with this feature of the invention, there is nocentralized control mechanism for handling handoffs. Instead, thesubscriber interface module 228 of each base station 18 is used tocoordinate handoffs between base stations based upon signal strengthsand/or range numbers. For example, in FIG. 8, at position Ti the basestation 18-1 would transmit a time stamp, a base station number, asubscriber number, and a range number indicating that the subscriberdevice 12 is relatively close to the base station 18-1. At T2 the basestation 18-1 would transmit the same information except a differentrange number indicating that the signal between the base station 18-1and the subscriber device 12 is weaker. By position T3, the base station18-2 would send a signal on the LAN 28 indicating that it has a rangenumber indicating that the subscriber device 12 is now closer to it thanto base station 18-1. Accordingly, both base stations would recognizethat a transition from base station 18-1 to base station 18-2 shouldtranspire. Under these circumstances, the second base station 18-2transmits a signal over LAN 28 to the first base station 18-1 requestinga transition. Once the first base station 18-1 acknowledges thisrequest, it forwards the call to the second base station 18-2 andservice is continued without disruption. For example, the call may beforwarded over LAN 28 using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)techniques.

The discussion up to this point has been directed toward seamlesstransitions between licensed and unlicensed wireless services. Attentionnow turns to other aspects of the invention. Another aspect of theinvention is a technique for assigning a base station to a landlinetelephone number. Another aspect of the invention is a technique forauthenticating a user for unlicensed wireless services. Advantageously,authentication is implemented through reliance upon existingauthentication infrastructure associated with the licensed wirelessnetwork. Thus, a separate authentication scheme need not be implemented.Another aspect of the invention that is discussed below is theprovisioning of a base station into the overall licensed wirelessnetwork. As discussed below, the provisioning operation is automaticallyperformed and therefore does not require technical sophistication orexpertise on behalf of the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates a technique for assigning a landline number to a basestation 18. Upon installation and power-up, the base station 18 queriesthe subscriber device 12 for the local landline phone number to whichthe base station is connected. In some embodiments, the base station 12will also solicit the Internet Protocol (IP) address for the systemserver 24. After the user enters the phone number and/or IP address intothe subscriber device 12, the information is transmitted to the basestation 18, as shown with arrow 610 of FIG. 9. The base station 18forwards the same information to the system server 24, as shown witharrow 612. The system server 24 then transmits this information forstorage in the HLR 34, as shown with arrow 614. Once stored in the HLR34, the MSC 26 can access the number as a mobile system roaming number(MSRN), as shown with arrows 616 and 618. Thereafter, the mobile systemroaming number can be used in a conventional manner to route a call tothe base station 18. Alternately, the MSRN may be a number correspondingto a number associated with the system server 24. In which case, thesystem server 24 sends the call to the base station 18.

Another aspect of the invention is authentication. As previouslyindicated, the invention utilizes the authentication infrastructureassociated with the licensed wireless network to authenticate users forthe unlicensed wireless network.

FIG. 10 illustrates a licensed wireless system authentication processutilized in accordance with the prior art. In this example, thesubscriber device 12 moves from the coverage area served by its home MSC(referred to as MSC-A) to the coverage area served by MSC-B. As soon asthe subscriber device 12 enters a cell that is served by MSC-B, itregistered with the system by sending an authentication request and alocation update to Base Station System (BSS) 600, as shown with arrow650. The location update request includes an international mobilesubscriber identity (IMSI).

BSS 600 forwards this information to the VLR 32 associated with MSC-B,as shown with arrow 652. The VLR of MSC-B in turn sends a message to theVLR and HLR of the SMC-A, as shown with arrows 654 and 656. Thisinformation serves as a request for authentication of the subscriberdevice 12 as well as to inform the HLR 34 of the current location of thesubscriber device 12 as served by the MSC-B. The authentication isperformed as follows.

The authentication center (AuC) 36 generates a parameter called SRES(signed response). In order to generate the SRES, it uses anauthentication algorithm A3, such as a public key/private key algorithm.The algorithm A3 processes a secret key Ki, a random number RAND, andthe IMSI to produce the SRES. The IMSI, RAND, and SRES are passed to theMSC-A (arrow 658) and MSC-B (arrow 660). The SRES is temporarily storedat the MSC-B until the authentication operation is completed. The MSC-Bpasses the IMSI and the RAND to the BSS, which passes the information tothe subscriber device 12. Based upon the IMSI and the RAND that itreceives (referred to herein as licensed wireless communication systemsecurity information), along with the secret key Ki that it stores, thesubscriber device 12 executes the same authentication algorithm A3. Thisresults in the subscriber device 12 producing a SRES, which is referredto as an authentication result. If the subscriber device is legitimate,it has the same secret key Ki encoded in it as the one in the HLR. Theservice provider encodes this key at the time of activating thesubscriber. This key is known only to the subscriber device and to theHLR.

The SRES, or authentication result, generated by the subscriber device12 is passed with the IMSI to the BSS-B (arrow 666), which passes it tothe MSC-B (arrow 668). The MSC-B compares the SRES generated by thesubscriber device 12 to the SRES generated by the HLR. Authentication isonly successful if the two numbers match. The SRES generated by the HLRcan be referred to as an authentication value. If the authenticationvalue from the HLR matches the authentication result from the subscriberdevice 12, then an authentication command is generated.

The above process assists in understanding the authentication processincluded in the present invention, as the new method is designed toutilize the existing authentication process already existent in thelicensed wireless system. FIG. 11 illustrates an authentication processin accordance with the present invention. In accordance with theinvention, the base station 18 is designed to emulate a BSS 600, and thesystem server 24 is designed to emulate an MSC 26.

When the subscriber device 12 enters the service area of the basestation 18, it registers with the base station. The authenticationmodule 124 of the subscriber device 12 subsequently intercepts theregistration message that is typically sent to the licensed wirelessbase station (e.g., BSS 600). This information, referred to as alicensed wireless authentication request, is sent to the base station18, as shown with arrow 680. The base station 18, at the direction ofthe authentication module 230, routes the information to the systemserver 24. In particular, the authentication module 230 of the basestation 18 forms an Internet Protocol (IP) packet containing theinformation and routes it to the system server 24. As shown with arrow684, the system server 24 forwards the information to the MSC-A. Theauthentication module 422 of the system server 24 may be used for thispurpose. In this capacity, the authentication module 44 assists thesystem server 24 in its operation of emulating a VLR. The operations atarrows 656, 658, and 660 are identical to the operations performed inthe prior art system of FIG. 10.

At this point, the system server 24 stores the SRES, instead of an MSC.The system server 24 forwards the IMSI and RAND information to the basestation 18, as shown with arrow 686. The base station 18, emulating aBSS, passes this information to the subscriber device 12. Theauthentication operation performed at the subscriber device isconventional, with the subscriber device returning an authenticationresult (e.g., an IMSI and a SRES) to the base station 18, as shown witharrow 690. The base station 18 passes this information to the systemserver 24, as shown with arrow 692. The system server 24 then checks foran SRES match. That is, the system server compares the authenticationresult produced by the subscriber device 12 to the authentication value(e.g., SRES) received from the MSC-A. Recall that this operation wasperformed by the MSC 26 in the prior art system of FIG. 10. In the eventof a match between the computed SRES values, an authentication commandis produced and unlicensed wireless services may be delivered to thesubscriber device 12 through the base station 18.

Preferably, authentication is not performed every time the subscriberdevice registers with the base station 18. Instead, the authenticationmodule 230 of the base station 18 preferably stores previousauthentication information and locally re-authenticates withoutaccessing the system server 24. This implementation is faster andotherwise reduces network traffic.

Yet another aspect of the invention involves provisioning of a basestation in order to facilitate the licensed-to-unlicensed wirelesscommunications achieved in accordance with the invention. By way ofoverview, the provisioning operation of the invention entails the basestation 18 automatically configuring itself. In one embodiment,provisioning is accomplished by initially accessing a provisioningserver. Subsequently, the base station registers with the system server.In the event that Internet access is available to the base station, thebase station uses the Internet to access the provisioning server and thesystem server. If Internet access is not available, a Short MessageService Center may be used during the provisioning operation.

FIG. 12 illustrates equipment utilized during the provisioningoperation. In particular, the figure illustrates a subscriber device 12and a base station 18. In one embodiment, the base station 18 uses theInternet 30 to access a provisioning server 700. For example, the basestation 18 may access the Internet through a broadband modem, such asDSL. The provisioning server 700 supplies a service profile to thesystem server 24, as discussed more fully below. In another embodimentof the invention, the base station 18 is provisioned through a wirelessconnection. In particular, a wireless link is established using a ShortMessaging Service or packet data services supported by the cellularsystem. For example, a short messaging service message can be sent fromthe base station 18 to the subscriber device 12, which then delivers themessage to the BSS 600. The BSS 600 delivers the message to the cellularnetwork 14, which delivers the message to the MSC 26. The MSC 26 routesthe message to the Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 702, which routesthe message over the Internet 30 to the provisioning server 700.Information from the provisioning server 700 is delivered to the systemserver 24 and the base station 18 through a reverse path.

FIG. 13 illustrates the process steps involved when the system of FIG.12 carries out the provisioning process. The process is typicallyinitiated upon installation and activation of a new base station 18, andwill be discussed in that context, but those of skill in the art willsee that it can be performed any time that provisioning information mustbe updated.

When a base station 18 is initially powered up it contacts theprovisioning server 700 (step 800). The provisioning module 226 of thebase station 18 coordinates this operation. In one embodiment, contactis made through the Internet 30 using one or more preprogrammed IPaddresses for the provisioning server. Alternately, the provisioningserver may be accessed through the SMSC, as discussed above. The basestation 18 then identifies itself to the provisioning server 700, forexample, using a code preprogrammed at the time of manufacture. If theprovisioning server 700 does not recognize the base station, the basestation preferably provides an error indication. If the provisioningserver 700 recognizes the base station, that processing proceeds toblock 806.

At this point, the base station broadcasts a signal to the subscriberdevice 12 instructing it to define itself (block 806). For example, thesubscriber device 12 may define itself by sending to the base station 18an electronic serial number or a portion of an electronic serial number.This defining information is used to establish an association betweenthe base station 18 and the subscribe device 12. This local associationis mapped with a local authentication procedure. Thereafter, wheneverthe subscriber device and the base station come into contact, theyidentify each other by passing the local authentication procedure. Thetwo devices can only communicate if the local authentication procedureis successful.

The provisioning module 127 of the subscriber device 12 prompts the userto enter the landline telephone number associated with the base station18 (block 808). This information is then passed to the base station 18.The base station then delivers information to the provisioning server(block 810). For example, the base station will typically deliver thelandline telephone number and a base station identification number tothe provisioning server. The provisioning server then downloads aservice profile to the base station and the system server (block 812).The service profile can include the landline telephone number and callerservices, such as call waiting, caller identification, and the like. Theservice profile may also include an IP address for the base station. TheIP address allows packet data to be delivered to the base station. Theservice profile also includes the IP address of a system server 24assigned to the base station 18. Typically, the system server 24 isselected based upon proximity to the base station, as derived from thearea code associated with the landline telephone number.

Observe that the provisioning server operates as a central registrationpoint for all devices within the system. This central point makes iteasier to modify system wide services. In addition, the provisioningserver provides the benefit that a single address is programmed intoeach base station.

The base station takes the IP address of the system server from theservice profile and contacts the system server (block 814). If theservice profiles match, an association is established between the systemserver, the base station, and the subscriber device. The system serversubsequently updates the HLR of the subscriber device with contents ofthe service profile (block 816). At this point, the authenticationprocess of FIG. 11 would typically be performed. This provisioningprocess can be repeated whenever a new device 12 or base station 18 isintroduced into the system.

Another aspect of the invention allows licensed wireless service usersto seamlessly change between a desktop phone and a subscriber device 12during a call, thus allowing them to use the most comfortable device ata given time. Thus, when a subscriber device 12 is located within acoverage area 16, a user can simply pick up the desktop phone andcontinue their conversation. The subscriber device 12 can then bedisconnected without any interruption in service. In this embodiment,the desktop phone and the base station are connected to the samelandline, thereby providing this interchangeability. Likewise, when acaller is using a desktop phone within an area 16, he or she canactivate a subscriber device 12 and continue a call from there. In thisinstance, a button on the subscriber device is used to initiatecommunication with the base station that is connected to same landline.Subsequently hanging up the desktop phone will not interrupt service.Observe in this context that when the subscriber device is within thecoverage area 16 of the base station 18, both the subscriber device 12and a desktop telephone may simultaneously ring in response to a call.The user can then pick up either device.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a through understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specificdetails are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, theforegoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention arepresented for purposes of illustration and description. They are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible inview of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and describedin order to best explain the principles of the invention and itspractical applications, the thereby enable other skilled in the art tobest utilize the invention and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It isintended that the following claims and their equivalents define thescope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A server for integrating an unlicensed wirelesscommunication system and a licensed wireless communication system,comprising: a network interface card; a licensed wireless networkinterface card; a processor connected to said network interface card andsaid licensed wireless network interface card; and a memory connected tosaid processor, said memory storing instructions to identify when asubscriber device is entering or leaving a service region of a selectedunlicensed wireless communication base station, and instructions totransfer the routing of a current communication session between alicensed wireless communication system and said selected unlicensedwireless communication base station.
 2. The server of claim 1 whereinsaid memory stores instructions to process a licensed wirelessauthentication request from said selected unlicensed wirelesscommunication base station.
 3. The server of claim 2 wherein said memorystores instructions to route said licensed wireless authenticationrequest to a home location register.
 4. The server of claim 3 whereinsaid memory stores instructions to pass licensed wireless communicationsystem security information from said home location register to saidunlicensed wireless communication base station.
 5. The server of claim 4wherein said memory stores instructions to compare an authenticationresult produced by a subscriber device associated with said unlicensedwireless communication base station to an authentication value receivedfrom an adjacent mobile switch center.
 6. The server of claim 5 whereinsaid memory stores instructions to produce an authentication commandwhen said authentication result matches said authentication value,thereby allowing the transition of said current communication sessionbetween said licensed wireless communication system and said selectedunlicensed wireless communication base station.
 7. The server of claim 1wherein said memory includes instructions to receive a service profilefrom a provisioning server.
 8. The server of claim 7 wherein said memoryincludes instructions to compare said service profile with informationreceived from said unlicensed wireless communication base station toselectively complete the provisioning of said unlicensed wirelesscommunication base station.
 9. The server of claim 8 wherein said memoryincludes instructions to deliver information about a subscriber deviceassociated with said unlicensed wireless communication base station to ahome location register for said subscriber device.
 10. The server ofclaim 1, wherein said memory stores instructions to emulate a mobileswitching center to facilitate said transfer.
 11. A network node,comprising: a network interface card configured to receive subscriberdevice location information from a network connected to an unlicensedwireless service region; a licensed wireless network interface cardconfigured to communicate with a licensed wireless network; and aprocessor connected to said network interface card and said licensedwireless network interface card, said processor utilizing saidsubscriber device location information to generate control signals forsaid licensed wireless network interface card, said control signalsinitiating the transition of a wireless communication session from afirst wireless system to a second wireless system, wherein said firstwireless system is selected from the group including a licensed wirelesssystem and an unlicensed wireless system, and said second wirelesssystem is the unselected system from said group including a licensedwireless system and an unlicensed wireless system.
 12. The network nodeof claim 11 further comprising a memory connected to said processor,said memory storing instructions to process a licensed wirelessauthentication request from a selected unlicensed wireless communicationbase station of said unlicensed wireless service region.
 13. The networknode of claim 12 wherein said memory stores instructions to route saidlicensed wireless authentication request to a home location register.14. The network node of claim 13 wherein said memory stores instructionsto pass licensed wireless communication system security information fromsaid home location register to said unlicensed wireless communicationbase station.
 15. The network node of claim 14 wherein said memorystores instructions to compare an authentication result produced by asubscriber device associated with said unlicensed wireless communicationbase station to an authentication value received from an adjacent mobileswitch center.
 16. The network node of claim 15 wherein said memorystores instructions to produce an authentication command when saidauthentication result matches said authentication value, therebyallowing said transition.
 17. The network node of claim 11 furthercomprising a memory connected to said processor, wherein said memoryincludes instructions to receive a service profile from a provisioningserver.
 18. The network node of claim 17 wherein said memory includesinstructions to compare said service profile with information receivedfrom an unlicensed wireless communication base station to selectivelycomplete the provisioning of said unlicensed wireless communication basestation.
 19. The network node of claim 18 wherein said memory includesinstructions to deliver information about a subscriber device associatedwith said unlicensed wireless communication base station to a homelocation register for said subscriber device.
 20. The network node ofclaim 11 further comprising a memory connected to said processor, saidmemory storing instructions to emulate a mobile switching center tofacilitate said transition.
 21. A method of integrating an unlicensedwireless communication system and a licensed wireless communicationsystem, comprising: identifying when a subscriber device is entering orleaving a service region of a selected unlicensed wireless communicationbase station; and transferring the routing of a current communicationsession between a licensed wireless communication system and saidselected unlicensed wireless communication base station.
 22. The methodof claim 21 further comprising processing a licensed wirelessauthentication request from said selected unlicensed wirelesscommunication base station.
 23. The method of claim 22 furthercomprising routing said licensed wireless authentication request to ahome location register.
 24. The method of claim 23 further comprisingpassing licensed wireless communication system security information fromsaid home location register to said unlicensed wireless communicationbase station.
 25. The method of claim 24 further comprising comparing anauthentication result produced by a subscriber device associated withsaid unlicensed wireless communication base station to an authenticationvalue received from an adjacent mobile switch center.
 26. The method ofclaim 25 further comprising producing an authentication command whensaid authentication result matches said authentication value, therebyallowing the transition of said current communication session betweensaid licensed wireless communication system and said selected unlicensedwireless communication base station.
 27. The method of claim 21 furthercomprising receiving a service profile from a provisioning server. 28.The method of claim 27 further comprising comparing said service profilewith information received from said unlicensed wireless communicationbase station to selectively complete the provisioning of said unlicensedwireless communication base station.
 29. The method of claim 28 furthercomprising delivering information about a subscriber device associatedwith said unlicensed wireless communication base station to a homelocation register for said subscriber device.